Ground investigation work continues for SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme
Image: SSEN Transmission carrying out permitted ground investigation work.
SSEN Transmission is continuing to carry out permitted ground investigation activity along the proposed routes for its three proposed onshore overhead line projects, due to be delivered as part of its £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme, gathering crucial information to be prepared to commence full construction work, should consent be granted for the projects, which will enable the connection and transportation of clean power around Great Britain.
The projects, consent for which will soon be applied for after an extensive and thorough planning and consultation process, will be critical in helping Scotland and the UK to deliver on energy security and clean power targets. Project teams and contractors have been carrying out walkover surveys and ground investigation works for a number of months, and continue to do so, in order to fully understand ground conditions, to be ready to start construction work should consent be granted for the projects. The Pathway to 2030 programme comprises the construction of three new 400kV overhead line projects and also includes upgrades being made to existing overhead lines and new 400kV substations and HVDC convertor stations across the north of Scotland – with ground investigation activity being undertaken across all projects.
Ground investigation activity for overhead lines, carried out using Permitted Development rights, typically involves the drilling of boreholes and the digging of trial pits, which allows engineers to understand the properties of the soil and rock beneath potential steel tower locations and their ability to support the structures and access tracks. Tree felling is also required in some instances, allowing safe access for ground investigation to take place, with all intrusive activity being kept to a minimum.
Kelly Scott, one of SSEN Transmission’s Lead Community Liaison Managers, said:
“Ground investigations are a necessary step in the development of any new infrastructure, and the results will help our teams and contractors to be ready to start construction on our projects, should they get the green light. As our ground investigation activity continues, local community members can expect to see our teams active on the ground, and while most of the work is expected to cause very little local disruption, we would like to thank the local community for their patience while the work is carried out. Where slightly more intrusive assessments are needed, we will work to keep local disruption and environmental impacts to a minimum.cAs we progress through the works, the SSEN Transmission project team will continue to oversee the work being carried out by various contractors, who also employ ecologists and archaeologists in an extra effort to ensure that work doesn’t have an impact on local wildlife or archaeological assets.”
Ground investigation activity will continue throughout the rest of 2025 and into 2026. With the extensive public consultation period for our projects now concluded, project teams are working on finalising planning applications, which will be submitted for consideration by Scottish Ministers later this year.